One Quick Action - A Lifetime of Reaction

Written by Ivana on August 29th 2018

Anyone heading to the Croatian coastline tends to describe the Adriatic Sea in the same way - blue, pristine and crystal-clear. Indeed, Croatia is proud to have such magnificent clear water, tempting tourists from all over the world to visit its natural
beauty.

The fact is that the Adriatic Sea is clear, but the question is, how long can it remain like this? Unfortunately, the answer is not favorable towards the clarity that we see now. With the increase in popularity of Croatia as a tourist destination comes
compounded issues with sustainable tourism. Although Croatia is proud to welcome every new guest along the Adriatic coastline, there are some visible changes in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic.

Instead of the clarity we are so often used to, locals are noticing more and more pollution in the form of plastic bags and bottles, fishing equipment, glass, aluminum cans or styrofoam material. Unfortunately, this has become a global problem spanning
over the Adriatic Sea as well. The average time for a plastic bottle to completely degrade is at least 450 years, whereas plastic bags are estimated to decompose in the period ranging from 20 to 1,000 years.

It is a popular misconception that the problem disappears once the material is decomposed, since microplastics can have an even more harmful impact, long after the waste is visible in water. This is a sad reality and most likely a concerning future,
unless we do something to get rid of all this material from the Adriatic Sea and restore its reputation of the crystal water we know.

One of our Green Sail practices has come in the form of fishing net sticks, that are easily portable and practical, and are used quickly during any sailing trip. Being foldable, they are quite easy to store and don’t take up much space onboard. Once
extended, within a second they create a long, slip-resistant handle, providing ample range and reach. Moreover, rounded corners enable easy access to hard-to-reach areas.

If you happen to sail through the Adriatic and, instead of crystal water, you see any waste floating as a result of human negligence, grabbing a fishing net stick and removing the waste can make a significant effect on maintaining the purity of the
beautiful Adriatic Sea.

Acting wisely today can lead towards a better and more grateful future. Using only five seconds of your day can create an impactful solution; something every person living in or visiting Croatia would want.